National Academy of Inventors names UTA trio as Fellows

Three more leading UTA faculty have been named Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, bringing the total number of UTA Fellows to 13, the highest number for a Texas university and the second-highest number in the nation.

Within Texas, the only other institutions to receive three new Fellows were Rice University and The University of Texas at Austin.

The 2015 class will include Duane Dimos, vice president for research; David Nygren, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Physics; and Kenneth Reifsnider, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The new Fellows will be inducted April 15 as part of the academy’s fifth annual conference in Washington, D.C.

Graduation Day

Pomp and circumstance were on full display Thursday-Saturday as several thousand UTA graduates participated in seven commencement ceremonies in College Park Center. See more photos.

Holiday, winter hours announced

The UTA campus transitions to holiday and winter hours for the next few weeks.

The Central Library is closed Thursday-Friday, Dec. 24-25, and Friday, Jan. 1. Check the hours for the Central Library, Architecture and Fine Arts Library, Science and Engineering Library, Special Collections, and the UTA FabLab.

NetIDplus required for off-campus access to UTShare starting Jan. 10

UT System will require the use of NetIDplus for every UTShare login off campus. This requirement is a continuation of the UT System two-factor authentication mandate and is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 10.

Help sessions will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 11-12, in Room 123 of Hammond Hall.

Enroll in NetIDplus early if you regularly access UT Share from off campus. NetIDplus is now required for all VPN off-campus access.

On the NetIDplus website, user guides are available for how to enroll, managing devices, and more. The enrollment process requires the use of a computer and an authentication device, such as a cell phone, landline, or tablet.

Upgrades at MAC, PEB underway

Upgrades have started at the Maverick Activities Center and Physical Education Building.

All basketball courts in the MAC and PEB are closed at alternate times for floor resurfacing and refinishing through Jan. 10. Players can find open space for basketball at all times, rotating between buildings as they are completed. There may be a brief time when all courts are closed. It will be safe to be in the facilities, but there will be a strong odor from the refinishing materials.

The controlled access turnstiles to the MAC are having a major repair. To enter the MAC for exercise or recreation or to visit the Department of Kinesiology, use the temporary north or south entrances that will be clearly marked. To access the Campus Recreation office, New Maverick Orientation/Off Campus Mavericks space, or the MAC computer lab, use the regular building entrance.

Power energy savings by turning off electrical devices

A few actions on your part can help conserve energy on campus during the winter break. The Office of Facilities Management suggests these steps to realize maximum energy savings:

• Turn off and unplug electrical devices. Many devices remain in a standby mode or use power even when turned off, including computers, monitors, scanners, printers, copiers, chargers, power supplies, appliances, and other electrical devices. If items are plugged into power strips, simply turn off the power strips.

• Lower the heating temperature and turn off air conditioning. Areas controlled directly by an occupant should have the air conditioning and fans turned off. Heating and air conditioning in many campus buildings are controlled by a computerized energy management system that will set these areas to maximize energy conservation during the break.

• Turn off all lights when you leave. Parking lot lighting schedules have been adjusted where feasible, taking campus safety and security into consideration.

Clean up now to prevent post-holiday surprises

The Office of Facilities Management suggests cleaning break rooms before the winter break.

• Wipe down and clean out break rooms or common areas of any food items or candy to keep from attracting insects.

• Empty the refrigerator and turn off the ice maker.

• Remove all perishable items from the refrigerator and freezer. Check all expiration dates and dispose if expired.

• Clean the inside of the refrigerator. Wipe down the drawers, shelves, sides, and floor of the fridge. Dry thoroughly.

• Place baking soda, a bowl of dried oats, or a shallow bowl of dry, fresh coffee grounds and crumbled newspaper inside the refrigerator to combat mildew, mold, and bad odor. When you return, remove newspapers and oats/coffee grounds and wipe down the drawers and sides.

Double the games: The perfect stocking stuffer has arrived with the Sun Belt Fun Pack. For just $50, UTA fans can grab a seat for every home Sun Belt Conference game for men's and women's basketball. The 20-game Sun Belt schedule begins with a men's and women's doubleheader on Wednesday, Dec. 30, against Georgia State. The conference season ends against Troy on March 5. Fans can select seats from sections 104-107. To purchase the Sun Belt Fun Pack, visit utatickets.com or contact the box office at 2-9595.

Holiday treats at men's game tonight

Be among the first 200 fans to nab a UTA stocking for Santa to fill with goodies when the Maverick men's team takes on Sul Ross State at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. The game includes a Maverick basketball T-shirt toss.

Single game tickets are $7-20 for the general public and $3 for students. Take advantage of the Faculty/Staff All-Sports Pass for $99 and catch all home athletic competitions. For these and other ticket options, go to utatickets.com.

Ongoing

Planetarium Holiday season includes four programs using a full-color, 360-degree laser projector: Laser Country, Laser Holidays, Laser Pink Floyd, and Laser Zeppelin. Also, Holiday Music Magic and Season of Light as well as One World/One Sky, Cosmic Colors, Spacepark 360: Infinity, and Secret of the Cardboard Rocket. See the schedule. Closed Fridays, Dec. 24 and 30. Planetarium at UTA.

The University of Texas at Arlington does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, genetic information, and/or veteran status in its educational programs or activities it operates. For more information, visit uta.edu/eos. For information regarding Title IX, visit uta.edu/titleix.

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